Ice climber falls, suffers injury on Pitchoff

Recent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:

Town of Forestport
Oneida County
Wilderness Search: On Dec. 27 at 2:41 p.m., Forest Ranger McCartney overheard a radio call for a search for a 14-year-old who had run away from her parents and into the woods. Rangers McCartney and Bills responded to help the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department. At 3:57 p.m., Ranger McCartney found the subject and walked her out of the woods to a waiting ambulance for further medical assistance. New York State Park Police and New York State Police (NYSP) assisted in this response.

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 27 at 11:30 a.m., Forest Rangers were alerted to an ice climber with a possible leg injury on the Arm and Hammer/Tendonitis climbing route of Pitchoff Mountain. The 49-year-old climber from Pennsylvania fell approximately 50 feet. He was wearing a helmet, but injured both legs in the fall. A nearby guide saw the climber in danger. The guide, Roth, is a member of a DEC-trained volunteer climbing rescue team. Roth reached the climber at the cliff, performed a mid-face rescue, and lowered the subject to the base. Rangers Mecus, Lewis, Evans, Praczkajlo, and O’Connor accessed the base of the climbing area utilizing steep-angle mountaineering techniques. At 2 p.m., Rangers took the injured climber to a waiting Lake Placid ambulance.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 31 at 1:24 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call for assistance at a location between Dial and Nippletop mountains for a hiker with health issues, including potential hypothermia. Forest Rangers Mecus and Lewis responded. The 34-year-old from Ballston Spa was with a hiking companion and was well prepared for a day hike, but concerned her symptoms would get worse as the pair hiked down and lost cell service. At 4:55 p.m., Rangers located the subjects on Lake Road and gave them a courtesy ride to their vehicle. The hiker stated she would seek further medical assistance on her own and the incident concluded at 5:20 p.m.

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 31 at 5:10 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex County about a group of 19-year-olds at Marcy Dam reporting one member of their party was suffering from alcohol poisoning. Forest Rangers Evans, Mecus, and Lewis responded. At 5:55 p.m., Rangers determined three teens were intoxicated. Due to the potentially life-threatening situation, Rangers assisted one of the teenagers to South Meadows Road and the Adirondak Loj where he was taken to the hospital by Lake Placid Ambulance. The remaining two teenagers were transferred to NYSP after their admission of using alcohol and hallucinogens. Resources were clear at 8:24 p.m.